Folding top for automobiles



G. E. MADISON.- FOLDING TOP- FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION mib mhz,192o`.

1,396,862. l APlatennedlov. 15,1921.

@gli

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. MADISON, Or FpINnMIOHIGAN, AssIGNOE To GENERAL MOTORS CORPO.,

EATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

FOLDING TOP `FOR AUTOMOBILES.

To all whom t may concern.: e

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MADISON, a citizen of the United States,anda resident of Flint, county of Genesee, and `State `of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tops forAutomobiles, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, andexact` description,

which when in their extended position,` supand folded and made to assumea position at` port the top up and over the 4body of the vehicle, butwhich bowsmay be collapsed therear of the vehiclebody when theprotection affordedby the top is not necessary or desired.

The principal objectof my invention is to provide a top which when upand in use will present the general appearance of the type `the type oftop in question.`

of top commonly referred to as the California top, but which at the`Sametime is foldable e. which is not ordinarily the case `with vide afolding top havlng the usual fa rio cover secured in place upon thehorizontal top portions of the bows thereof, and the` usual backcurtain; together with side quarter portions which extend downward fromsaid fabric cover and are provided with depending flaps adjacent theirrear ends which may be detachably secured relative to the back cur tain,preferably tothe forwardly extending ysides or wings thereof, when thetop is up and in use, but which flaps may be unfastened from the back`curtain and folded along and in with the fabric covering and bows whenthe top is to be taken down and e fouled at the rear of the venia@ body.

A further object of my inventionfis to provide an improved top whereinthe sides of the bows thereof and the pivotal connections between thevarious bows` are hidden by the side quarter portions thereof andthefor- Specication of Letters Patent.

A further object of m invention is to `ro" `Patented Nov. 15, 192.1.

Application led lJanuary 2, 1920. Serial No. 348,757.

wardly extending wings of the back curtain,

and which top as a whole may be readily folded, which has not heretoforecommonly` been the case in ltops having partially closed sides or in thesemi-inclosed type of top; the folding being made possible by theunfastening of a single joint or seam in the top `structure upon eachside thereof and at the rear end of the side quarter portions of thetop.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the followingdescription of my invention, and from the concluding claims wherein theparticular and distinguishing features thereof are enumerated.

My invention is illustrated in its preferred fornr in the drawingaccompanying and forming a part of this specification; al-

though it will be appreciatedthat the draw-` ing is `for illustrativepurposes only, and for the. purposeof enabling the following descriptionofmy inventionfto be better followed and understood; and that suchvariations and modifications of my invention Aas come within the scopeof the concluding claims are equally within the scope thereof, and areintended to be coveredby the patent to be secured therefor.

In the drawing: i

Figure l is a view showing one form of myimprovedfolding top in sideelevation, the automobile body to which the to is applied being shownconventionally, and in outline only.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the top beforethe near side quarterportion thereof is ut in place.

iig. 3 is a view showing the near side quarter portion by itself.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 1, but showing my invention asapplied to different particular types of tops.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral 5 designates a motorvehicle body in Outline and in a conventional manner,"`as it `will beappreciated that my invention is` in no way limited to` use withanyparticular kind or `style of vehicle body; and thefreference numeral 6designates a main supporting bow located adjacent the rear end of thebody and `which serves as a support for the entire top structure. Thisbow is of the usual U-shaped form having a substantially horizontal topportion, and the lower ends l theffo'rm" of my invention illustrated inFigsql and 2'two supplemental bows 9 and 1 0 are supported ffrom themain bow 6, the formerfbeing pivotally connected directly to thefmainbow at oppositely located points 11 while the latter is supported fromthe main bow through pairs of links 12 disposed one pair' uponfeaehsideV of the top. In the form Y shown'in Fig. 4 three supplemental bows13,

lg 14C' and 15 are disposed in front of the main reary bow; vwhile inthe form shown in Fig. 5

fourauxiliarybows 16, 17,V 1S and 19 are supported in front of the rearbow. In` all cases'theV supplemental bows provide a collapsibleframework or support for the fabric cover ofthe top, and in each caseboth the supplemental landfmain bows together with theV fabric coveringwhichdthey carry may be folded and made tolie c omp'actly at the rearend of the vehicle body, as is usual in fold- I ablejtops of the generalclass to which my invention relates. ln passing, it may be here statedthat the particular form, number, method of support kfrom the main bow,Vand other' features of the collapsible frame work provided by thesupplemental bows are in no way involved in thi'spresent invention,and-may be varied to suit the designer of the top in eachV particularcase.` In topsof the general classto which myv invention relates theforward one ofthe supplementaly bows and thus the vforward end o f thetop is commonlygdetachablysecured to the upper ends yofoppositely'disposed upright standards 20, to thereby hold the front ofthe top in proper position relative to the body and prevent lateralmovement of the said front portion, which' standards commonly support awindshield between them but which is lnot shown in the drawing, beingunimportant in this present case. f f Y Y The reference numeral 21Vdesignates the backf curtain ofthe top' 'the upperendor edgefof which issecuredto theshorizontally extending portion o f the rearmost bow 6Valong .a line the position of whichfisA indifv cated bythereferencenumeral 22, and the Y GO forwardly extending side portions vorwings 231 vof which aref commonlyv secured "alongl theirv 'upperinclined edges 24 to the ysaid rearmost bow ;-there 'being one such sideor wing upon each side of the vehicle in the embodiment of my inventionillustrated. The

lower end of the back curtain is secured along its entire length to thevehicle body as will be understood.

Depending from the sides of the top cover 8 and disposed one upon eachside of the top structure are the side quarter portions 25 the near oneonly of which is shown in Figs. 1 and 8, while the far one appears inFig. 2. The upper edges 26 of these side quarter portions arepermanently secured to the top cover 8 along a suit-able seam, while therear edges of said portions lie adjacent the rearmost main supportingbow of the top. The upper portion 27 of this rear edge is per manentlysecured along its length to the rearmost bow 6 as by a series of nails,while the lower portion 28'of said rear free edge is detachably securedrelative to said bow and relative to the side wings of the back curtainpreferably by means of a series of coperating pairs of separablefastening members indicated at 29, one member of each pair being carriedby a side quarter and the other by the wing of the back curtain adjacentwhich it lies in the embodiment of my invention illustrated, although asa matter of course any suitable kind of fastening means or separablefastening members may be used.

The shape of the side quarter portions is commonly made such that atriangular flap portion 30 is provided adjacent the rear end of each andwhich flap depends from the lower edges thereof, in which case the partof the rear edge of a side quarter which is liXedly secured relative tothe rearmost bow and the adjacent side wing of the back curtaincorresponds with the rear edge of the triangular iap as will beunderstood.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 4 the triangular iiapportions 31 extend downward from the side quarters 32 farther than inFigs. 1 to 3, and the apices of said portions lie substantially at theupperedge of the vehicle body; while in the forni illustrated in Fig. 5the flap is substantially the same as in Figs. 1 to 3, although the tophas a total of five bows instead of three as in the form of xnyinvention first herein described.

In view of the premises it will be appreciatedy that when the top is upand the rear inclined edges 28 of the side quarters illustrated in Figs.l to 3, or the corresponding edges of the equivalent side quarters inthe .forms illustrated in Figs. 4t and 5, are

lixedly secured in place by means of the fastening members as aboveexplained, the top Yas a whole will present the appearance oftheCalifornia type of seini-inclosed top; and theI side portions of thevarious bows, and in fact all the elements of the top involved in thesupport of the fabric covering thereof in an extended or up positionwill be hidden by the side quarters and by the side wings of the backcurtain. When, however,the detachable fastening, members 4referred toare unfastened or the rear free edge of the flap ortions otherwise`disengaged from the e ement or portion of the top to which` they aredetachably secured the top as a whole may be readily folded and made toassume a collapsed condition i at the rear endof the vehicle body, the`flap side quarters, and the backcurtain during portions of the `sidequarters being folded inward along portions indicated approximatelybythe dotted lines 34, and caught in the creases or folds ofthe fabriccover, the

the .folding operation, as will be understood. Having thus described and`explained my invention, I claim and desire to secure by `LettersPatent:. n

v tion relative to.` the rearmost of isaid bows edge to the rearmost ofsaid bows; a fabric and relative to said back curtain. i

2. In a motor' vehicle top and in combina` tion `withfa plurality of`supporting bows, and a back curtainsecured along its upper coversupportedby said bows; a side quarterportion permanently securedalongits upper edge to the fabric cover of the top and along theupperportion of its rear edge to the rearmost of said supporting bows,

and havin end and and separable fastening members whereby said flap maybe"secured` along oneof its edges relative to said back curtain.

3. In a motor vehicle top and in combination with a plurality ofsupporting bows,

and a back curtain secured along its upper edge to the rearmost of saidbows; a fabric cover supported by said bows; aside quarter portionpermanently secured along `its upper edge to the fabric cover of the topand having a flap triangular in form and lo` cated adjacent its rearendand depending below its lower edge; and separable fastening memberswhereby said fia may be secured along one of its edges re ative to saidback curtain. .n y

4E. In a motor vehicle top and in combina- "tion with a plurality ofsupporting bows, a

fabric cover supported by said bows, and a` back curtain secured alongits upper edge to the rearmost of ksaid bows and having forwardlyextending sides or wings; a side quarter portion permanently securedalong its upper edge the fabric cover of the top and along its rear edgeto the rearmost of i a iiap locatedadjacent its rear end` epending below`its lower edge; and

a fla located adjacent its .rear1 ependlng `below its lower ledger;

said supporting bows, and'wliich side quarter is provided with a iiaplocated adjsb cent. its rear end and depending below its lower edge; andmeans for detachably se curing a free edge of said depending iapto aside or wing `portion of said back curtain. 5. In a motor vehicle topand in combina tion with a plurality of supporting bows, a fabric coversupported by said bows, and a back curtain secured along its upper edgeto the rearmost of said bows and having forwardly extending sides orwings; a side quarter portion permanently secured along its upper edgeto the fabric cover of the top and along its rear edge to the rearmostof said supporting bows, and which side quarter is provided with atriangular Hap located adjacent the rear of said side quarter anddepending therefrom; and separable fastening means for'detachablysecuring the rear free edge of said depending iap relative to a sideportion of said back curtain and relative to the `rearmost of said bows.

6. In a motor vehicle topv and in combinai tion witha plurality ofsupporting bows., a fabric cover supported by said bows, and a backcurtain secured along `its uppeil edge to the rearmost of said bows andhaving A(forwardly extending side portions or wings the upper edgesofwhich are also secured to the rearmost ofsaid bows; a side quarter porution permanently secured along its upper edge to the fabric cover oftbetop and tbe rear edge of which side quarter lies adjacent therearmostof the bows aforesaid; the upper portion of the rear edge of said sidequarter being permanently secured to the rearmost of said bows and thelowermost portion of said free edge being detachably securedrelative tothe `rearmost of said bows and relative to a side portion of said backcurtain. f ,i i

`7. In a motor vehicle top and in combination with a plurality ofsupporting bows, and a back curtain secured along its upper and sideedges to the rearmost ofsaid bows; a fabric cover supported by saidbows; a side quarter portion permanently `secured along its upper edgeto the fabric cover of the top and the rear edge of which terminatesadjacent the rearmost of said bows, and the upper portion of which rearedge is permanently secured to said rearmost bow; and means fordetachably securing the lower portion of said free edge relative to therearL most of said bows and relative to said back curtain.

8. In a motor vehicle top and in combination with a plurality ofsupporting bows, anda back `curtain secured along its upper and sideedges to the rearmost of said bows; a fabric cover supported by saidbows; a side quarter portion permanently secured along its upper edge tothe fabric cover of the top and having a flap located adjacent its rearedge and depending below its lower edge; and means for detachablysecuring the rear edgeof'sald Hap portion relative to a side edge ofsaid back curtain.

i of which lies adjacent the rearniost of said bows and is fixedlysecured thereto through` out its upper portion; and means for detachablysecuring the lower portion of said free Yedge to a side or wingportion'of said back il curtain.

l0. I n a motor vehicle top VVand combination with a plurality ofsupporting bows,

` and av back curtainrsecured along its upper Y edgeto the rearmost ofsaid bows; a fabric coversupported by said bows; a side quarter portionpermanently secured along its upper edge to the fabric cover of the topand the rear edge ofwhich lies adjacent said rearmostlbow and: said backcurtain; and means 'for detachablysecurlng therear edge of said Y'sidequarter portion relative to saidV rearmost bow and relative to said backcurtain. i

11. In a motor Vvehicle top andy in combinationwith a plurality ofsupporting bows,

f a fabric cover supported by saidbows, and

a back curtainhaving forwardly extending sides or wings; side quarterportions unitarily connected with'said fabric cover and depending`therefrom, and which side-quarter portions are :providedwith flapsadjacent their rear endsl and depending from their lower edges; andmeans for detachably *flap located adjacent its rear end and dcpendingtherefrom; and separable fastening meansA for detachably securing therear free edges of said depending flap portions relative to the forwardfree edges of the wings of said back curtain, and relative to therearmost of said bows.

13.' In a motor vehicle top and in combination with a plurality ofsupporting bows, a `fabric cover supported by said bows, and a backcurtain having forwardly extending sides or wings the free edges ofwhich are secured to said rearmost bow; said fabric cover having sidequarter portions connected therewith to forni a unitary structure anddepending therefrom, and which fabric cover, side quarters and backcurtain are secured along the upper edge and part way down the sides ofthe rearmost of said supporting` bows;said side quarteis havingtriangular flaps located adjacent the rear ends thereof and dependingtherefrom, and the rear free edges of which flaps overlie portions ofthe sides of the rearmost of said supportingbows; and separablefastening members whereby the rear free edges of said depending flapsmay be secured relative to said rearmost supporting bow.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE E. MADISON.

